Final answer:
A big question in biological anthropology is what defines being human, which includes the exploration of human evolution, genetic diversity, and the possibility of culture in nonhuman primates. This field utilizes fossil and genetic research to illuminate our origins and the evolution of our anatomical and cultural traits.
Step-by-step explanation:
One big question that encompasses the core of biological anthropology is understanding what it means to be human. This question dives deep into our evolutionary past and scrutinizes various aspects such as human and primate evolution (paleoanthropology), the study of contemporary primates (primatology), and the genetic makeup that narrates the human story (genetic anthropology) among others. Anthropologists are particularly intrigued by the potential presence of culture in nonhuman primates, which implies the transmission of knowledge and behaviors within their societies, paralleling some aspects of human cultural development.
Biological anthropology, as a field, seeks to decipher the earliest biological and sociocultural developments of humankind, shining a light on the diverse characteristics we observe today. Such an inquiry is deeply rooted in evolutionary theory, tracing back to Charles Darwin’s mechanism of natural selection. The continuous discovery of fossilized remains and the analysis of genetic data drives the quest to chart the human and hominin species' evolution, their migration patterns, and the relationship with other hominin species such as Neanderthals. The revelations from this field not only contribute to our knowledge of our own species' origins and migrations but also offer insights into why we possess certain traits and how they became adaptive over time.